Solderless connection for electric sockets



July 31, 1962 A. YSLAS SOLDERLESS CONNECTION FOR ELECTRIC SOCKETS Filed July 12, 1960' INVENTOR. 3.2 .15. ALFONSO YSLAS atent 3,947,830 Patented July 31, 1962 fine $347,830 SOLDERLESS @(BNNEQTIUN FOR ELETRI SGCKETS Alfonso Yslas, 327 W. 17th St, New York, N.Y. Filed July 12, 1960, Ser. No. 42,323 2 Qiaims. (Cl. 33--174) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a solderless connection for electric sockets.

More specifically, the invention proposes the construction of an electric socket which is provided with means whereby the contacts of the socket may be fixedly connected with the ends of conductor wires in such a manner as to make soldering of the connections unnecessary.

Still further, the invention proposes the construction of a socket in which the leads of the conductor wires are securely clamped in position, in a manner to prevent their being withdrawn from the openings in the insulation body thereof.

Another object of the invention proposes the provision of a slide of a novel construction which is slidably extended transversely through the insulation body in a manner to be used for securely clamping the conductor wires in position within the insulation body.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric light socket constructed in accordance with my invention.

FIG. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the socket.

FIG. 3 is a similar view but showing the socket turned slightly to show the front of the negative blade contact taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof as seen from the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragment of a View similar to FIG. 2 show ing the slide in operative position, with the conductors omitted.

FIG. 7 is a similar view turned 90.

FIG. 8 is a similar view showing one of the conductors bent by the slide.

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the slide in inoperative position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base section.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one end of the top section of the socket body.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the slide.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the electric contact.

FIG. -13 is a perspective view of the central conductor strip.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a solderless electric light socket embodying the invention is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral 8. The socket comprises a sectional cylindrical body 10 formed of plastic or other suitable insulating material. The body 10 consists of a tubular top section 11 which has its bottom end closed and a separate solid base section 12. Interengaging portions are formed on the adjacent bottom and top faces of the sections 11 and 12 for aligning these sections when the top section 11 is positioned upon the base section 12.

These interengaging portions are characterized by an eccentric projection '13 formed upon the bottom face of the top section 11 and which fits into a complementary eccentric recess 14 formed in the top face of the base section 12. Likewise, the top face of the base section 12 is for-med with a central projection 15 which fits into a complementary central recess 16 formed in the bottom face of the top section '11 of the body 10. The closed bottom end of the top section 11 is formed with a cutout portion 11 extending on both sides of the projection 13. When the top section 11 is brought into position upon the base section '12 the interengaging portions will serve to properly align the sections and will lock the section against being turned relative to each other. The cutout portion 11 of top section 11 leaves a space between the top and base sections of the body, as shown in FIG. 3.

An upwardly extending side contact 18 is disposed inside section 11. The bottom end of the side contact 18 is extended through an opening in the closed bottom end of the top section 11. This bottom end is then bent into a right angular strip portion 19 which extends along the bottom face of the top section 11 to be disposed between the adjacent faces of the top section 11 and the base section 12. The free top end of the side contact '18 is formed with an inwardly extending projection 20, which is provided for engaging the threads of the shell contact of an electric bulb, not shown on the drawings, necessitating that the bulb be screwed into the socket, and to provide an electrical connection with the filament of the bulb through the shell contact. The contact 18 seats in a vertical groove 18 formed in the inner surface of section 11.

A fastening member 21 is mounted through the closed bottom end of the top section 11 and is extended into the base section 12. This fastening element 21 is in the nature of a screw which is adapted to be threaded into position, and serves a two-fold purpose. In the first place, the fastening member 21 serves to securely hold the top section 11 in position upon the base section 12, and the head of the fastening member 21 is arranged to contact the end central contact of the electric bulb, not shown on the drawings, to complete the electrical connection with the filament of the bulb.

Disposed between the adjacent faces of the sections 11 and 12 of the insulation body 10 there is a conductor strip 22. One end of the conductor strip 22 is formed with an opening 23 through which the fastening member 21 is extended, and the free end of the conductor strip 22 extends radially outwards from the fastening member 21.

A slide 24 of insulation material is mounted in the space between the adjacent faces of the sections 11 and 12 of the body 10 formed by the cutout '11. The slide 24 is substantially U-shaped in configuration and has its arms 24 extending along opposite sides of the projections 13 and 15. The edges of the arms 24 are beveled. The bight portion of the slide 24 is extended from one side of the body 10 as shown in FIG. 8A and is adapted to be driven inwards to the position illustrated in FIG. 8.

The base section 12 is formed with spaced passages 25 which extend completely therethrough, and the top section 11 is formed with spaced passages 26 which extend partially through the closed bottom end of this section from the bottom face vertically upwards. The passages 26 are arranged in superimposed end alignment with the passages 25 in the base section 12. The arms of the U-shaped slide 24 are likewise formed with passages 27 extending therethrough which are in alignment with the passages 25 and 26 when the slide is extended from the side of the body 10 as shown in FIG. 8A. In the aligned positions of the passages 25, 26 and 27, the ends of conductor Wires 28 are adapated to be extended through the passages as shown in FIG. 8A.

The strip portion 19 of contact 18 and the conductor strip 22 have edge portions which extend across the sides of the passages 26 formed in the top section 11 to be contacted by the conductor wires 28 when projected into the passages 26. Contact 18 is also formed with a bulgedout portion 32 at the juncture of the strip portion 19 to frictionally grip the base portion of the top section 11. With the conductor wires in the position shown in FIG. 8A, the slide 24 is to be driven into the position shown in FIG. 8 for clamping the conductor wires 28 fixedly in position against the edge portions of the strip portion 19 and the conductor strip 22, respectively. The bight portion of the slide 24 is formed with a semispherical detent 33 adapted to interlock with a depression 34 in the bottom surface of the base of top section 11, as shown in FIG. 7. The passages 27 intersect the ends of tapered grooves 31, 31 in the opposed surfaces of the legs 24' of the slide 24.

The operation of this invention is as follows:

The electric socket 8 is purchased minus the electric bulb and conductor wires 28 and with the slide 24 in the position shown in FIG. 8A, that is, with its passages 27 aligned with the alinged passages 25 and 26 formed in the sections 11 and 12 of the insulation body 10. The ends of desired conductor wires 28 are bared of their insulation and are passed into the aligned passages 25, 26 and 27 as shown in FIG. 8A. The slide 24 is then forced inwards, the beveled arms thereof clamping the conductor wires 28 securely in position against the edge portions. A light bulb may then be screwed into the open end of the socket, and the electric current will pass to the shell contact of the bulb through the strip portion 19, the side contact 18 and the projection 20 to the shell contact, and to the end contact of the bulb through the conductor strip 22 and the fastening member 21 to cause the bulb to be illuminated. Projecting ribs 36 on the inner surface of section '11 hold the shell plug portion of the light bulb steady, and space the shell plug portion away from the inner surface permitting air to flow around and keep the plug portion cool.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. A solderless connection electric socket comprising a sectional insulating body including a top tubular section with a closed bottom end and a base section, said sections having complementary mating portions for aligning and interlocking said sections, the closed bottom end of said top section having a cutout portion, a central electrical contact extending centrally through the top and base sections, said contact securing said sections to each other, an elongated contact strip in the top tubular section disposed along the side of the top section, having an angular portion disposed between the top and base sections, a contact strip engaging said central contact, a

slide disposed in the cutout portion of the top section, said slide having a passage adjacent one end thereof, the bottom end of said top section having a passage therethrough, said base section having a passage therethrough in line with the passage in the top section, the passage in the slide adapted to be aligned with the other passages, and conductors extending through the aligned passages in the top and bottom sections and in the slide in the path of movement of the slide whereby inward movement of the slide carries said conductors into contact with the contacts, said slide having a detent on its surface for interlocking with a depression in the bottom end of the top section to hold the slide in moved condition.

2. A solderless connection electric socket comprising a sectional insulating body including a top tubular section with a close bottom end and a base section, said sections having complementary mating portions for aligning and interlocking said sections, the closed bottom end of said top section having a cutout portion and having a side opening, a central electrical contact extending centraly through the top and base sections, said contact securing said sections to each other, an elongated contact strip in the top tubular section and through the open ing in the close bottom end thereof, said strip disposed along the side of the top section, having an angular portion disposed between the top and base sections, a contact strip engaging said central contact, a slide disposed in the cutout portion of the top section, said slide having a passage adjacent one end thereof, the bottom end of said top section having a passage therethrough, said base section having a passage therethrough in line with the passage in the top section, the passage in the slide adapted to be aligned with the other passages, and conductors extending through the aligned passages in the top and bottom sections and in the slide in the path of movement of the slide whereby inward movement of the slide carries said conductors into contact with the contacts, said slide having a detent on its surface for interlocking with a depression in the bottom end of the top section to hold the slide in moved condition, said elongated contact strip having a bulged-out portion engaging the Wall of the side opening in the bottom end of the top section forcing the strip against the wall of the top section and holding the angular portion of the contact strip against displacement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,820,261 White Aug. 25, 1931 1,966,563 Russell July 17, 1934 2,497,484 Wood Feb. 14, 1950 2,848,705 Williams et a1 Aug. 19, 1958 2,869,097 Stuart Jan. 13, 1959 2,982,883 Gordy May 2, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,035,795 France Apr. 22, 1953 

